Post navigation

A winters stay at Coombe Mill, Cornwall

Dear Mummy, we had the most amazing start to 2018 with a trip to Coombe Mill in Cornwall. After the rush and chaos of Christmas, it was a welcomed break. I joined my folks and escaped from city life by heading into the countryside.

Beautiful grounds at Coombe Mill

When we first started blogging 4 years ago Fiona at Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays, who owns the farm and runs their twitter feed, took us under her wing and introduced us to the lovely blogging community of #CountryKids. She’s a parenting blogger too you see. Since then we’ve been joining in with her linky on her family-run website and sharing each others adventures. Fiona’s photos each week on her blog are amazing and show children like me enjoying themselves on her farm by embracing nature. I’ve kinda grown up with her online, so it was a real treat to meet her in person at her holiday farm.

Farmer Nicks Little Helpers Club

We stayed from the 27th Dec to after New Year in the period called ‘Crimbo Limbo’, the time that people hibernate indoors eating the leftover turkey and living on Quality Street. We didn’t want to waste away my holiday staying indoors watching Christmas movies so decided to welcome the New Year as we intended to, as a family in the great outdoors.

Fresh eggs from the farm run

Escaping the daily grind and getting away from it all was our key criteria and during our stay at Coombe Mill we helped farmer Nick with the feed runs in the morning, held chickens and drove a tractor (sort of!) We saw goats, sheep, Limas and rabbits on the 30-acre estate. Gazed in awe at majestic deer on a frosty morning. My folks loved seeing me happy and the other side of the fence interacting with the farm animals and learning all about them.

Exploring the fairy gardens

On top of the daily feed run Coombe Mill provides a host of other fun activities from crafting to miniature train rides. We discovered a magical fairy garden and large pirate ship play park where I pretended to be Tinkerbell and my folks were Peter Pan and Hook! There was a den building area next to an amazing river with a troll bridge and trampolines. We were lucky with the winter weather as most mornings were frosty and bright and even the rainy days didn’t dampen our spirits as we played in the indoor play barn and crafted at the activity hour in the games room.

Staying in the Watermill

We stayed in the 400 year old stone cottage called the Watermill, converted from the original 16th Century mill which sleeps up to 7 people with 3 bedrooms (one ensuite) with comfortable beds. The interior was farmhouse chic with exposed stone walls and views of the farm. Downstairs was the pièce de résistance – a large wood burning stove with a flume that towered past the balcony landing, the main reason why we booked this property. We all snuggled up on the comfy sofas with soft rugs and enjoyed the warmth of the fire after our winter walks. The kitchen was well stocked with all the facilities you could need for a stay and the open plan dinning room was large enough for us to play at, read the morning papers and enjoy our breakfast.

The cozy setting

We were most impressed with the hospitality and Farmer Nick, Fiona and their kids were all so friendly and accommodating. Helping us out when we had a question and going the extra mile to make our stay comfortable and one to remember. They even heated up the cottage before we arrived after our long journey.

My comfy room

As we stayed over New Year, the family even held a NYE party in the games room for all the guests with food, bubbly and fireworks which was unexpected and memorable. We weren’t worried that we forgot anything as there was a borrow room on site filled with waterproofs, toys and DVDs that you could borrow for free. Also there was a freezer at reception which was stocked with food incase you didn’t fancy cooking from scratch. There were supermarkets in the town nearby and we made a point of staying in the cozy cottage to eat but we heard that the pubs and restaurants served fabulous food.

Warming up on a chilly morning

When we weren’t having fun exploring the farm we headed to some of Cornwall’s most beautiful destinations. We visited Fistral Beach in Newquay and Readymoney Beach in Fowey. But ran out of time to visit Polzeath and Padstow which are in close proximity too.

Stunning scenery

We had fun visiting the blustery Boscastle to see the Witchcraft Museum and nearly got blown away and also visited Camel Creek on one of the rainy days and enjoyed the large indoor soft play and rides.

We’d love to return to the area as the Eden Project, Cornwall’s Crealy Theme Park, The Camel Trail, Dairyland Farm World and the historic Tintagel are nearby. Also if you love the stories of King Arthur, many of the folk law stories come from around the area too.

Early morning on the farm

A lot of guests we met were repeat visitors and we can see why, with some of them even traveling from overseas to stay! We too had a lovely time at Coombe Mill and would stay again in a heartbeat. We’d love to head back in the summer and see the beaches in their full glory and enjoy the farm activities in the warm weather. For our first visit to Cornwall it was an amazing place to stay.

42 thoughts on “A winters stay at Coombe Mill, Cornwall”

Aw thank you Bella and a big thank you to Mummy too, what a lovely review of staying here on the farm. I’m thrilled you managed to join in with so much and discover so many of the less obvious areas at Coombe Mill too. You have such a lovely happy smile and really embraced every new experience which is how to make the most of your holiday. We loved your fun fox mac and matching boots too. I’m so pleased you enjoyed your stay and I do hope we see you again in the summer sometime you are all such a pleasure to have stay.

I always dislike the time between Christmas and New Year and normally end up getting fed up, this is a great idea to use this time to get away as a family. It looks like you all had a fantastic time, we definitely would love to visit to farm this year #countrykids

We are so lucky that my in-laws live in Cornwall. They moved there 14 years ago so we go and stay with them every year. They live in Bodmin so we have often passed the signs for Coombe Mill. It looks so lovely there. Sarah #CountryKids

We’re hoping to visit Coombe Mill this year. Great to read you blog and get an outsider’s view – so much going on there, Fiona is a blogging superstar isn’t she! She really helped me get involved in the blogging community. My sisters have recently moved to Cornwall so we’ll be visiting a lot more in future.Coombe Mill here we come! #CountryKids

I love the look of Coombe Mill and we are hoping to visit this year too – great to read an outsider’s review. Fiona’s amazing isn’t she, a real help getting me into the blogging community. My sisters have recently moved to Cornwall so we’ll be down there more often in future. Coombe Mill here we come! #CountryKids

I think it is so sweet that she invited you to stay at the farm at Cornwall and how gorgeous is it? I love the rustic feel of the accommodation and it looks like you and Bella had such a wonderful time x

What a fantastic time to have a little holiday. That period between Christmas and New Year is so topsy turvy that it is a great idea to have a break. I love how you have built up a relationship with Fiona and her farm. Oh and Bella, you look so happy holding that cute little bunny! xx

I would never have thought about going on holiday at this time of year. Looks like you had a wonderful time and its so close to so many tourist destinations too. I am not surprised they have so much repeat visitors theres always so much to do to keep the kids happy! x #CountryKids

I admire your initiative of getting out of the house and spending the holidays surrounded by nature. And Cornwall couldn’t have been a better choice. The coombe mill farm sounds like a lovely place where children can learn a lot about animals.

Coombe Mill Family Farm looks gorgeous Dawn. I have fond memories of farm based holidays when I was little, and have been looking for something like this for the Summer to take Little Button to. There’s nothing like an outdoorsy adventure filled holiday to set off all the smiles. Isn’t Bella adorable! Thanks for joining us for the #DreamTeam xx

We stayed at coombe mill Christmas 2017. I love how you say you’ve grown up with Fiona, my kids are being the same. #countrykids is one of my favourite link ups. It is such a special place and Fiona is lovely on epic scales!! I’d love to go back, maybe in the summer just to get a different warmer experience! ‪Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky‬

Post navigation

Follow Us

Looking for something?

Search

About Me

Hi there! My name is Bella. Welcome to my little blog. It’s written in my own fair hand at night mainly from my room. I am a five year old that blogs. *yes you read that correctly* My mummy, Dawn, proofreads at night and keeps me in check! My daddy occasionally chips in as well. We hope you enjoy reading about our adventures in the South of England and our reviews. You can now catch us on YouTube…what have we let ourselves in for!